REBELS WELCOME BACK EXPERIENCE FOR BRUMBIES
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Loading...The Melbourne Rebels welcome back experienced campaigners Colby Fainga’a, Mike Harris and Lopeti Timani to the starting line-up against the Brumbies at AAMI Park, Melbourne, on Friday.
The return of the trio is a boost for the Rebels heading into the local derby with top spot on the Australian Conference ladder on the line.
Harris returns to fullback for the first time since he suffered a quad injury in the Rebels opening round game against the Force in Perth.
After two appearances off the bench, including a try against the Blues before the bye, Fainga’a has been recalled to the starting 15 for the first time since he injured his elbow against the Force in the opening round.
Timani has recovered from a quad injury to be selected in the run-on team after the 25-year-old missed the game against the Blues in Auckland.
“We’ll be calling on all our experience on Friday night against the Brumbies so it’s great to welcome back Colby, Mike and Lopeti back in the starting 15,” Rebels Head Coach Tony McGahan said.
“It’s exciting for the club to still be in the conversation at this point of the season but we’re under no illusion about the importance of this game so we need to back ourselves and our abilities for this opportunity.”
The Rebels bench has received a boost as well with Tom English named as a reserve after a knee injury sidelined the winger since the team’s fifth round loss to the Highlanders at AAMI Park.
The Rebels welcome the welcome the Australian Conference leading Brumbies, who hold a two-point lead over the Rebels, to AAMI Park.
Little could separate the two sides last year with the Brumbies and Rebels splitting the results away from home by five-point margins – the Victorian’s first win in Canberra when the teams last met.
The Rebels and Brumbies have met on ten previous occasions with the hosts winning three games, including the club’s historic maiden Super Rugby victory in Round 2, 2011 at AAMI Park.
2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Round 12
Melbourne Rebels v Brumbies
Friday 13 May 2016
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7.30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: FOX SPORTS 2 (live)
Live Updates: www.twitter.com/MelbourneRebels
1. Toby Smith
2. James Hanson
3. Jamie Hagan
4. Luke Jones
5. Lopeti Timani
6. Colby Fainga’a
7. Sean McMahon
8. Adam Thomson
9. Nic Stirzaker (Captain)
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Cam Crawford
12. Reece Hodge
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Sefa Naivalu
15. Mike Harris
Reserves
16. Pat Leafa
17. Cruze Ah Nau
18. Tim Metcher
19. Sam Jeffries
20. Jordy Reid
21. Ben Meehan
22. Tom English
23. Kotaro Matsushima
Courtesy of the Rebels
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